Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1887-1890, 1887-07-02
RANGE AND FARM.
Prcau tions Against Scab-Constant
Vigilance Necessary.

The woolgrowers of Montana, seem to
be in earnest in regard to the extermina-
ton of scab from their focks, and from
the territory. In the early days OF WOOL
growing in the territory, when our f1ocks
were few, and ranges abundant and very
luxuriant and inviting, sheep were high
and many thousands were driven in from
the over-stocked regions of the Pacific
coast. and with them came the dreaded
disease off seabb. Montana growers dipped
their iocks continually, but new arrivals
from the coast region, scattered the germ
afresh over our ranges, and many dispaired
entirely of being able TO master the plague,
and there were those among us who even
declared it incurable.
Careless management, the driving in OF
an occasional scabby flock has inoculated
the country again, and our wool-growers
wake, as it were, from their lethargy, to
find their flocks and ranges in almost as
bad a condition as when nearly everybody
handled sheep fresh from the scab infect
ed regions west of us. Realizing that the
life of the industry depended upon keep
ing our flocks clean. a few of our wool
owe put their heads together during
the session of the legislature, last winter,
and through the assistance of the repre-
sentative of this office, in that body, sue
reeded in having a new scab law estab-
lished. This, although not as perfect as
it might have been, is believed to be all
that is necessary in the premises, and a
concert of action in the various parts of
the territory is all that will be required to
restore our focks to the good condition
that existed Ii few years ago. Veterinarian
Holloway, having acted in perfect har-
mony with the wool-growers, by appoint
ing as deputies, those recommended by
the several associations, the wool-grow-
ers' association of the territory, have the
matter almost entirely in their W hands.
In reality, we might say, they have alb
solute control under the law.
At a recent meeting of the growers of
Meagfler county, resolutions were adept
ed, in which a determination was express
ed to stand by the law, and in the pro-
ceedings Of the Fergus County Wool
Growers Association, a like feeling was
manifested. And if other counties will fall
into line. the disease may be wiped out in
a single season. In Meagher county the
diseased 1ocks have been registered and
quarantine limits prescribed and recorded
in a book, kept by the county deputy and
the law is to be enforced to the letter;
and as Fergus county is following in the
footsteps of the parent county, the pros
poets is good for eastern Montana's focks
S:-- a1a,-,oI -, = yory short frmo fhiS
season at the %furtherest. And we hope to
hear of woolmen everywhere rising in
their majesty to enforce the law, that wool
growing may be placed upon a paying
basis again; a thing that is impossible as
long as disease is allowed to run riot In
our midst.-Rocky Mountain H"sbnnd-
man.
FRESH PASTURES.
consider the first two months IN pas
ture as worth as much to the stock as the
succeeding four, and my reasons are that
at this season there are few flies and tor
menting insects, no excessive heat, an
abundant supply of pure water and fresh,
sweet grass, and I base this estimente on
long experience in grazing, and the gain
cattle will make during May and June.
The profit of this best grazing season OF
the year depends on whether your cattle
are we'll wintered or not, for in one case
they will have been kept thrifty and gain
ing in flesh all winter, and in he other
they will not only have lost flesh which
must be regained, but will also have taken
on an unthrifty habit.-H. z. Broson, IN
Farmers Reclec.
A SUCCESSFUL EXPERIMENT.
Mr.. Paris Gibson while in the city Sun
day, informed the RjDer Press that the
wheat crop on the uplands near Great Falls
looks finely and promises an enormous
yield. He says he has never seen a better
prospect, and this is true in regard to the
ground broken the first time as well sthe
fallow. Mr.. Gibson put in 250 acres for
his company, to show what can be done on
the fine bench lands, and the experiment
not only promises great success, but profit
as well. Last year a like experiment on
a small scale was a failure, because Of the
drought, something unprecedented In all
the years of Montana's occupation by the
white man. On the other hand the pres
ent season is unusually favorable and crops
will readily grow in valley or bench with.
out irrigation or much attention. Taking
one year with another, we believe that
good crops of vegetables and grain, espec-
sally wheat, can be grown upon our best
bench lands as successfully as the same is
produced in Dakota or Minnesota, and
that in a series of years Montana would
not fail oftener than the states named.
The experience Of our farmers so far as
they have tried the bench lands upholds
this belief. The time is not far off when
upland farms, abundantly supplied with
water from ~artesian wells, will be deemed
of greater value than those of the valleys
Fort Benton Rsrer Press.
HINTS FOR wOoL-GRowERs.
For cuts made in shearing, apply com
mon pine tar.
The Lincoln is the heaviest-bodied
sheep in existence.
Tag all the sheep that are on young
grass, to keep them clean and avoid
fy-blow.
Dip the lamps in tobacco water te
clean them of ticks, or use crude